The Aftermath

As we began to catch our breath and form thoughts for the next step, it is as though we were on auto pilot, as though we were prepared and had planned for this. We simply identified the most pressing need and found a way to meet it. And then the next most pressing, then the next and the next. For the first two weeks, it was difficult to look beyond this moment and the needs that moment held.

The Bathroom.

Temporary housing. Food. Childcare. Water. Very large garbage container. Equipment to load lots of damaged house parts and possessions into garbage container. Insurance info. Finances. Internet. Utilities. More permanent temporary housing. Bills. Paperwork. Mail. Documentation for said insurance. Furnishings for the rental. Moving into the rental. More fun with the insurance company.

The Office/Kitchen.

Each step brought new needs and new ways for those needs to be met. Moment by moment, people were coming in and out of our lives with another piece of the project. Complete strangers stopped to help sort through the rubble. An entire church took a Monday off to come and lend a lot of hands, some equipment and lunch! Family devoted hour after hour into digging through the house, watching our babies and doing countless little things for us. Friends offered housing, food, help, money. We even had a cousin send us a port a potty, which was a real blessing 8 miles from the nearest bathroom! ...it really was overwhelming!

The Living Room.

One evening, some of Ben's cousins came to help and uncovered two of the true 2x12's from the old bins. It meant so much to have something saved from the old house to use for the new house. I have plans for a yard sign with one and Ben is contemplating options for the other.

The lawn mower in the garage.

If we had stayed, our goal would have been to get to the garage, ground level and away from windows. This sight really griped me...we would have been crushed!

Another shot of the Living Room.

We feel truly blessed by all the outpouring of love and support we received, literally from across the country! There are no words big enough for the gratitude we feel. This process has been such a huge challenge and yet such an enriching gift. I would not have asked for this to happen, but I am so amazed by God's hand throughout and all the ways He has been made so real to me! I am excited to share the process of cleanup and rebuilding, because God is found in every step of that process as well!